64 learn the concepts, tools and skills for economic development

6/19/2017 12:00 AM

Sixty-four new economic developers from Texas and Louisiana graduated from the Basic Economic Development Course in Plano, Texas, on June 9. Participants included members of economic development boards, city council members and staff from the Governor’s Office. They learned about the concepts, tools and skills needed to be successful in economic development.

Topics covered during the four-day course included community and workforce development, strategic planning, finance and capital markets, real estate development and reuse, business attraction, retention and expansion, and many more.

The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and serves as a training requirement to sit for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) exam. The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC), in partnership with the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), conducts the course three times each year for entry-level economic development professionals. The program is coordinated by Lisa Mutchler, Program Director of Economic & Workforce Development with Knowledge Engineering at TEEX.